Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I posted this in the Milksnake forum, but thought I'd post it here as well (in case there's a distinct line in the sand between you guys (like bp's and bc's)).

Up until now I've kept only ball pythons and bci's. I've become fascinated with milk/king snakes and I have what is probably a dumb question: What is the difference between milks and kings? I've looked at a zillion pictures and read about both, but am confused as to the specific differences between the two. Is there a link to a concise guide, suggested reading, etc.?

Thanks in advance!!!!

This web page may or may not answer your question. The short answer is "not much". They are both part of the same genus, Lampropeltis, but they are not the same species. I am not a taxonomist, so I can't give you the details.

You might want to ask your question on the "Academic: Taxonomy Discussion Forum". One of those kind souls might be able to point you in the right direction.
Kingsnakes and Milksnakes

Thank you!!

There is no difference.
Milksnakes are kingsnakes.

The common name for milksnake does not include "king" in English (except for a scarlet kingsnake - which is a milksnake subspecies) but that is just a common name in English, and some languages do include the equivalent of english "King" in their common name for the species.
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3.6 L. getula californiae
1.1 L. getula nigrita
1.0 Boa constrictor constrictor (suriname, fostering/rescue)
2.3 Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata

There are subtle differences between the two. First are the obvious pattern difference,.... ruthveni" and "zonata" being the exception. Slight anatomical differences in the hemipene configurations, as well as the teeth also being different. Most "getula" complex usually have 23-25 dorsal scales at mid-body, whereas "triangulum" has 21-23 scale rows, with the exception of two of the southernmost subspecies of "triangulum" being "gaigae" and "andesiana" usually having 19 scales at mid-body......so although they are all "lumped" into one genus, the different species do have very valid differences. this is how taxonomists classified them into these categories, because they are slightly different from one another.......there are also other species of "King" that weren't mentioned in this as well, them being......"alterna", "mexicana",and "calligaster, but they all have their differences too........in short, that is exactly how ALL flora and fauna is methodically classified, through visual differences and disection, in order for them to assign different names, there MUST be valid differences............Doug

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Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!

Granted - but the milksnake is just the common name for L triangulum.

While L triangulum clearly is different from other Lampro species, I'm not aware of any distinctive characteristic that indicates that they are somehow different from all other Lampro species in a way that could be specified as two different sub groups of Lampro.
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3.6 L. getula californiae
1.1 L. getula nigrita
1.0 Boa constrictor constrictor (suriname, fostering/rescue)
2.3 Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata

Other than the (calligaster/getulus) group without enlarged posterior maxillary teeth(all others with),...the scalation is basically the only superficial difference...I think we're both on the "same page" about that.
My post was to illustrate the meristical differences(and a few others) to show exactly how "triangulum" is different from the other seven species of Lampropeltis, however subtle the differences may be. Especially for the individual that asked about the two,.... just so he didn't think they are absolutely identicle, because certainly they are not. I think we both know that!LOL.......later,....................................Doug

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Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!